[mattjkerns]

Hello all! I live in Belleville, MI and have an 18' 93 diablo 4.3 L Mercruiser. I've had so many problems with this damn thing since i've bought it. I've had it for 2 years now and at the end of every year, it's done working, as if it knows its the end of the season. Had it winterized and i checked up on it b/c i am redoing the upholstery and putting 'tuff coat' on the floor instead of carpet, and found ice on the damn dip oil dip stick! who knows how these repairs are going to go or how much money i have to shell out. i'm debating about getting a new motor! any ideas? i would love to get rid of the carb and go EFI. Thoughts? Thanks and nice to meet you all!

Matt

[mattjkerns]

motor has gave me nothing but problems. now, ice in the oil. insurance guy think it may be cracked internally, but i wont know til i get it to the shop next week. do you know if it is able to put another motor in that is EFI and not carb? How much? I'm curious in doing it but really only have 2k to work with. i could take the chance of getting it 'fixed,' so they say. maybe it's the marina i go to, im not sure. i would just love to get everything done asap and be ready for this upcoming season. im currently redoing upholstery and tearing out carpet and putting down tuff coat. Thanks!

[ColoradoDiablo]

Matt ,
Welcome to MOC!
Sounds like you have a water intrusion problem.
I won't sugar coat it!
Best case is condensation , worst is a frozen block.
Pull the plugs , if you have water intrusion..... you will see it(rust).
Do a compression check on all cylinders. That will give you a idea of whats up.
If you find any cylinder out of range more than 15% from the other cylinders , then you have a problem.
Head gasket , Intake gasket , cracked Exhaust manifold , crack in block are a few to suspect.
When the 4.3 freezes , it usually breaks under the intake manifold just below the deck of the block.
I went thru the same...........ain't fun .......... but when it's fixed , you'll love your Diablo again!

[mattjkerns]

i hope you are right Larry! I am totally not an engine guy but everything else kind of guy. so i have no idea of even how to check compressoin. i know i will be getting raped on price at the marina but thats what has to be done apparently!

[ColoradoDiablo]

EFI conversion for 2 grand on a running motor is cutting it super close.
Stick with the carb version , do a shortblock if need be , and go have fun.
You got time!

[ColoradoDiablo]

Just for shi-- and giggles , look at the ends of the heads real close and see if there is any cracks.
That is another weak spot in the 4.3 when they freeze.

[ColoradoDiablo]

Go to your local parts store. Most will loan tools. Get a compression tester.
Pull the plugs one at a time , install compression tester(screw in to sparkplug socket , have a buddy crank engine til the needle stops moving up. Write down number , reinstall plug , move to next cylinder , do the same.
After , look at numbers , compare outcome , you'll see it if that is the case.

[mattjkerns]

ahhh, ok. thats not hard at all! i can do that, lol! only problem is, when i go to start, it just clicks. start solenoid? not sure. im taking it in next week and hopefully they will get it started, then i will see what i can do on my end to make it top notch. it was great at the beginning of the year then kind of drizzled in power in the middle of the year, which i didnt really notice bc i never full throttle it. soo, theres tons happening with this thing. i'll prob stick with that carb as you said and hoping to have it back to new with $2k. (hoping!)

[ColoradoDiablo]

Try to turn the the crank by hand Matt. I think it is a 3/4" socket on the end of the crank if I remember right.
If it won't turn either way , or really hard to turn , she's locked.
New motor!

[mattjkerns]

ahh yes... i will def try that tomorrow. Thanks!